A 56-year-old client is admitted to the psychiatric unit in a state of total despair.

(A) Transient depression manifests as sadness or the “blues” as seen with everyday disappointments and is not necessarily dysfunctional. (B) Mild depression manifests as symptoms seen with grief response, such as denial, sadness, withdrawal, somatic symptoms, and frequent or continuous thoughts of the loss. (C) Moderate depression manifests as feelings of sadness, negativism; low self-esteem; rumination about life’s failures; decreased interest in grooming and eating; and possibly sleep disturbances. These symptoms are consistent with dysthymia. (D) Severe depression manifests as feelings of total despair, hopelessness, emptiness, inability to feel pleasure; possibly extreme psychomotor retardation; inattention to hygiene; delusional thinking; confusion; self-blame; and suicidal thoughts. These symptoms are consistent with major depression.